Dunkirk 2 - 1 Brocton

Midland Football League, Premier Division

It was soon clear that there was a general lack of confidence as passes went astray from the players of both sides. However, the method of Brocton’s preferred manner of play suffered far more than the home side, who kept things as simple as possible and played to the twin strengths of pace up front and solidity at the back.

A corner and a crafty back heel gave Calum Barrett a double save to make in the opening moments and Josh Wilson brought an equally good save from home keeper Matt Coton after Gary Fife, Dan Lomas and Josh D Wilson had combined to get the ball into the box for him.

Will Coutts, wide right for Dunkirk, showed good pace on his flank but misplaced his passes early on and when he did get beyond Brocton’s debutante at left back, Shaquille Lee, he over hit his cross. His team mates did not berate him though and later in the match he would repay their faith in him.

Another combination between Fife and JD Wilson produced a chance for Lomas, whose headed effort could only be half cleared. Dave Berks headed the rebound over the bar. A Dave Ablewhite pass to Fife was then cut out and Coutts left both team mates and defenders in his wake as his attack took him to the edge of the box. Ablewhite just managed to get a block in for a corner. Coutts shocked the visitors moments later though as he struck a shot from way out on the right touch line and saw it pass Ablewhite and the unsighted Barrett and in at the near post to give his side an 11th minute lead.

Yet another move between Fife, Lomas and the two Wilsons saw Josh Wilson’s shot tipped over the bar by Coton and then twice as Brocton looked set to make hay in the box an interception and swift break put them under pressure at the other end. The first effort was saved by Barrett and the second was hit wide by Joe Bloomfield.

The very next Brocton attack did get into the box and as Lomas prepared to shoot Ryan Hastie tugged his shoulder and a penalty was awarded. Berks took responsibility but stuck his shot wide. Ablewhite just kept going as Brocton mounted the next attack and got to the bye line before being smothered as he looked for a pass into the box and Barrett had to make another fine save to keep out Phil Massingham as Dunkirk broke with pace again.

It was more of the same in the early second half with Coton a little fortunate to gather deflected shots twice in quick succession from Fife and the home side then creating opportunities for themselves quickly on the break whenever Brocton looked at their most threatening. On 62 minutes Coutts repaid the earlier faith placed in him when he ran at Brocton’s defence through the middle of the pitch and once again unleashed a shot from distance. This time Barrett flung himself full length but could not keep it out. In the 65th minute a quick free kick for Brocton then finally gave Fife his goal as substitute Callum Rudd played in Berks, who found Fife. He made sure with a thunderous shot, but as Brocton looked to grab an equaliser Fife, having worked a good position, tried to play safe with a pass across goal only to over hit it and the chance was gone.